Weekend Getaway: Exploring Berlin in One Weekend

For those days when you’re just not feeling like staying put, there are tons of options to get out and explore Europe (even with little time).

I had a couple of friends visiting from Canada in June and a trip to Berlin in one weekend was in order. If you’re living in Düsseldorf and you haven’t been before, don’t let the distance scare you out of an amazing long weekend getaway. It’s just a short 4-hour train ride (with working WiFi so that you can get some work done too).

Exploring Berlin in One Weekend

Berlin is the capital of Germany and a huge hub for travelers. Whether you’re looking for a historical tour to bring you back in time or hope to get a glimpse of the newest art scenes and nightlife, Berlin is a great place to be.

Berlin is about 560 kilometers away (it really is on the other side of Germany), but it’s very possible to spend a couple of days there.

How to get to Berlin

Depending on your time and budget, there’s a couple of ways to get over to Berlin:

• By bus: FlixBus is often the cheapest option (you can find buses for as little at 5 Euros), but you’re going to need quite a bit of time to get there (10 hours on average).
• By train: If you haven’t heard, FlixBus also runs their own line of trains (FlixTrain) and are often just as fast at the Deutsche Bahn trains (for a fraction of the price – you can often find trains to Berlin for 15 Euros). FlixTrain uses older trains though, so if you’re still looking for a more upscale option, then Deutsche Bahn is a great option! The train will take you about 4,5 hours.
• Carpool or drive: Consider carpooling with someone on BlaBlaCar. The driver will choose the price point, but it’s often the cheapest method. If you’d rather drive on your own, but you don’t have a car, you should compare your car rental options/prices before booking. Driving will take you about 6 hours.
• By plane: Flying is certainly the fastest option (1,5 hours) and sometimes also quite cheap! There are plenty of airlines flying from Düsseldorf to Berlin, the cheapest option is often Eurowings.

Best choice? I always go with FlixTrain! It’s faster than taking a bus or car, cheaper than taking a plane and a great way to sit back and relax a bit while making way to Berlin!

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Sights to See in Berlin

First and foremost, if you’re only planning on spending one weekend in Berlin and you’ve never been before, exploring all the ‘touristic’ things is a must. You simply cannot go to Berlin and avoid the hop-on-hop-off bus, going on a classic walking tour, and checking out the Reichstag.

My best tip is to buy a Berlin Welcome Card before you arrive and select one of their walking routes to explore. Regardless of what you choose to do, there is likely going to be a discount coupon in the book.

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Don’t miss these sights while you’re in Berlin: 

Brandenburg Gate

An 18th-century monument that has stood the time through many of Berlin’s most historical moments. You will check this out on just about every and any walking tour you choose to take part in.

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Reichstag Building

A building once burnt to the ground in 1933 has now been restored and is home to the German parliament. If this is something that particularly interests you, I would definitely recommend taking the private tour of the Reichstag.

Memorial of the Murdered Jews

Right down the road from the Reichstag Building and the Brandenburg Gate is the Memorial of the Murdered Jews, built to remember all the Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust. If you decide to take the Third Reich Walking Tour, this will be one of your stops. The tour explores the rise and the fall of the Nazi regime along with all of the events that led Hitler to power.

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Topography of Terror

If you’re not a history major and want to learn everything there is to know about WWII and the holocaust, the Topography of Terror is an indoor and outdoor museum now built on top of the Gestapo and SS headquarters during the Nazi era.

Berlin Wall/East Side Gallery

Many people head to Berlin in search of “the wall ” and are shocked at the sheer size of it (it’s small – there’s not much left of it of course), the best part of the Berlin Wall is along the East Side Gallery (home to some very historically relevant paintings). If you’re keen on learning more, they actually have The Wall Museum located at the East Side Gallery where you will find 13 themed rooms that tell the story of the divided Berlin days.

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Checkpoint Charlie

This was the crossing point during the Cold War between East and West Berlin. The only thing that still stands today is a welcome sign, but it’s certainly worth checking out.

Things to Do in Berlin

There are tons of places to be and sights to see in Berlin, but there are a few silly things that you must do before leaving Berlin.

• Take your candid snapshots at a local photo booth 
• Try some currywurst 
• Indulge in a great burger 
• Spend a night out partying

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Places to Stay

While I don’t know what types of accommodations you love, I certainly have a few recommendations. This is my 8th or 9th time visiting Berlin and I’ve spent time in friends houses, AirBnb’s, hostels and luxury hotels… so take your pick:

• Wyndham Garden Berlin Mitte: A great higher scale hotel with delicious breakfast within walking distance many of the best attractions.
• Michelberger Hotel: If you’re looking for something a little more middle range but still with the comfort of a luxury hotel, the Michelberger is a hip place to stay with beautiful little rooms perfect for simply sleeping.
• Pfefferbett Hostel: The Pfefferbett Hostel is quite central in Berlin and can easily be accessed by public transit. It’s a nice little upscale hostel with a beautiful green oasis in the courtyard.
• Circus Hostel: Right around the corner from the Pfefferbett Hostel is the Circus. The Circus also has single rooms and apartments right across the street. Another central hostel that’s great for making friends and exploring.

Have you explored Berlin in one weekend? What tips would you suggest? Where would you recommend visiting? Let us know in the comments section below! 

This article is now available as a mobile app. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Berlin on GPSmyCity.